Catastrophes, wars, terrorism, ecological disasters, deadly diseases,
poverty ....
The list of tragedies - both personal and public - is endless. Every
day and hour media, politicians, experts - and charlatans - bring us
a never ending barrage of bad things. No wonder that many people feel
depressed and weary.
This blog tries - in a modest and personal way - to contribute to a more
balanced view. After all, there is so much to appreciate and
enjoy in life ...

Thursday, 29 December 2016

“What do ties matter, Jeeves, at a time like this?There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter”
― P.G. Wodehouse

When we moved to London in the autumn of 1989, I decided that I needed a couple of new ties. Soon I found two nice ones in a shop - the newly opened Georgina von Etzdorf shop - on Sloane Street in Chelsea, close to where we lived.

At the time I was not aware of the fact that Georgina already was a big name in the London fashion world. The Georgina von Etzdorf web page tells us why:

"When the Donald Campbell dress made from GvE´s ´Poppy´ for the Princess of Wales attracted world wide attention, the partners never needed to advertise."

"Journalists delight in naming celebrities who wear GvE designs"

Among the celebrities were e.g. The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Robin Williams, The Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue ...

Here are a couple of details of my first von Etzdorf tie, which still is my favourite one:

For those interested in more information:

"Etzdorf was born in 1955 in Lima, Peru, to a Prussian father and an English mother. She lived in Peru till the age of five, when her family returned to Britain. She has often claimed that her early years in Peru strongly influenced her dynamic sense of colour and texture. Etzdorf studied textile design at Camberwell School of Art in London, graduating in 1977. At Camberwell she met Martin Simcock, who later joined her as one of the co-founders and partners of the Georgina von Etzdorf label. The third co-founder and partner was Jonathan Docherty, who studied industrial design at the Central School of Art and Design in London and who had been a school friend of Simcock's Etzdorf spent several years as a freelance designer before she, Simcock, and Docherty founded the Georgina von Etzdorf Partnership in 1981, basing themselves originally in a garage and stable at Etzdorf’s parents’ house, where they set up a silk screen printing workshop. Their plan was originally to produce fabric for third-party fashion houses, but they took the decision to produce in-house because of their failure to find commercial printers willing to adapt their processes to the challenge of printing Etzdorf’s designs. In 1984 the Georgina von Etzdorf fashion label made its first appearance at the autumn London Designer shows previewing accessories, scarves and ties. In 1985 the partnership produced its first full clothing collection. In 1986 Georgina von Etzdorf opened a first London shop in Burlington Arcade. That was followed in 1988 by a second shop, off Sloane Street in Chelsea. By the mid-1990s the company was selling in 400 shops in 25 countries around the world, and had a concession in both Barney’s in New York and Selfridges in London. In addition to its signature scarves and ties, the company diversified into a wide range of men’s and women’s wear, such as dinner jackets, dressing gowns, sleepwear, shoes, gloves, belts, hats, and also household items such as kelims and cushions." (Wikipedia)

The Icelandic horses at the Kulla Gunnarstorp castle are ready for the winter season. These sturdy horses are used to cold and rough weather:

Here is some additional information about the breed:

The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The only breed of horse in Iceland, they are also popular internationally, and sizable populations exist in Europe and North America. The breed is still used for traditional sheepherding work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing.Developed from ponies taken to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, the breed is mentioned in literature and historical records throughout Icelandic history; the first reference to a named horse appears in the 12th century. Horses were venerated in Norse mythology, a custom brought to Iceland by the country's earliest settlers. Selective breeding over the centuries has developed the breed into its current form. Natural selection has also played a role, as the harsh Icelandic climate eliminated many horses through cold and starvation. In the 1780s, much of the breed was wiped out in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption at Laki. The first breed society for the Icelandic horse was created in Iceland in 1904, and today the breed is represented by organizations in 19 different nations, organized under a parent association, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations.(Wikipedia)

Saturday, 10 December 2016

The Höganäs church (1934) in functionalistic style was designed by the Swedish architect, professor Ivar Tengbom, who is perhaps most well known for having designed the Stockholm concert hall building. The beautiful organ, inaugurated in 1958, was build by Danish Marcussen & Søn.

Sunday, 4 December 2016

The Christmas market at the Fredriksdal Museum and Gardens is a wonderful annual event in Helsingborg. The entire area is lit by thousands of candles and lights. Here you can buy some nice Christmas presents or delicacies for your Christmas table and listen to traditional Swedish Christmas music. Fredriksdal´s horses, pigs, goats, geese and other animals also seem to be in Christmas mood. Much to enjoy for the entire family!

Below are some pictures from yesterday, the opening day of this year´s Christmas market: